The Effect of McConnell's Vastus Lateralis Inhibition Taping Technique on Vastus Lateralis and Vastus Medialis Obliquus Activity

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Jenny McConnell's vastus lateralis (VL) inhibition taping technique on VL and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle activity, and its possible application in quadriceps rehabilitation, particularly in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Eighteen asymptomatic subjects (11 female and 7 male) participated, and completed a functional task (stair descent) under three test conditions: no tape, placebo tape and active tape. Surface electrodes were used to determine the electromyographic activity of VL and VMO during the tests. High variance and abnormal distribution meant that the data required non-parametric analysis, which was completed with Friedman and Wilcoxon tests for each muscle. Results of the Friedman test for VL revealed a significant difference in activity across the conditions (p < 0.05). Further investigation with the Wilcoxon tests revealed that the application of the active tape was responsible for significantly decreasing VL activity. The Friedman test on VMO activity revealed no significant difference between experimental conditions (p > 0.05), although a Wilcoxon test between the placebo tape and active tape conditions was significant. These findings suggest that McConnell's VL inhibition taping technique does inhibit VL, but the effects of this inhibition on VMO require further investigation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Jenny McConnell's vastus lateralis (VL) inhibition taping technique on VL and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle activity, and its possible application in quadriceps rehabilitation, particularly in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Eighteen asymptomatic subjects (11 female and 7 male) participated, and completed a functional task (stair descent) under three test conditions: no tape, placebo tape and active tape. Surface electrodes were used to determine the electromyographic activity of VL and VMO during the tests. High variance and abnormal distribution meant that the data required non-parametric analysis, which was completed with Friedman and Wilcoxon tests for each muscle. Results of the Friedman test for VL revealed a significant difference in activity across the conditions (p < 0.05). Further investigation with the Wilcoxon tests revealed that the application of the active tape was responsible for significantly decreasing VL activity. The Friedman test on VMO activity revealed no significant difference between experimental conditions (p > 0.05), although a Wilcoxon test between the placebo tape and active tape conditions was significant. These findings suggest that McConnell's VL inhibition taping technique does inhibit VL, but the effects of this inhibition on VMO require further investigation.